The toddler is crying. It is Brennan's fault. But his parents witnessed nothing.

"What did you do?" we ask.

"I don't want to tell you."

We ask his sister. She thinks there was hitting involved.

"Brennan, did you hit your brother?"

"It was not a hit!'

"Then what did you do to make him cry?"

"It was a clap of peace."

Remember how my wife is a #1 New York Times best-selling author?

Well, Disney optioned her film rights, with Miley Cyrus attached to star and the producers of Twilight attached to produce. This has been in the works for months, and we've been just itching to tell everyone! Well, the announcement just went public this evening, so there you have it. Not that any of them read my blog, but I want to publicly thank the many, many people who worked hard to make this happen for Aprilynne. You are a talented bunch.

Oh, and just FYI, this doesn't mean the movie will necessarily get made--and even if it does, there's no guarantee that it will ultimately star Miley Cyrus (though hey, how cool would that be, right?). Film options are time-limited and just that: options. But the chances of going to production are a lot better now than they were this time last year! So if you haven't read Wings yet, I suggest you go pick it up so you can say you were a trend-setter. d^_^b

Today is 5 May 2009. Aprilynne's book, Wings, is officially available at bookstores everywhere!

Since my previous entry, I've started three blogs that I couldn't finish. Mostly out of anger, or despondency, or perhaps both. I'm a bad person, yes, I know. So here's a story about my precocious daughter, because while it may not be incisive political commentary or helpful law school advice, right this moment I could use the psychological boost that comes with actually finishing something I've started. d^_^b

My paternal grandfather, Kenneth Ralph Pike, passed away on 12 July 2008. I've been trying to write this entry pretty much every day since. The problem is not grief (though I thank you for your concern), as Grandpa suffered from Alzheimer's Disease; most of us have conducted our mourning gradually over the years. While his passing saddens us, we also see it as something of a release for him.

But I digress. While this site is (let's face it) largely a prolonged experiment in intellectual narcissism, I have since his passing felt some pressure to pay appropriate homage here on the website that bears, through me, his name. So I invite you to join me for a moment as I set aside law school and politics and raise a metaphorical glass to Kenneth Ralph Pike, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and all-around brilliant man.

Apropos of my previous post, two stories about my weird, wonderful children.

Huge announcement time! My wife Aprilynne just sold World English rights to a four-book Young Adult series to Tara Weikum at Harper Children's, in a significant deal, in a pre-empt, through her agent Jodi Reamer at Writers House. Her book will hit the bookstores (in hardcover!) in the summer of 2009.

So, apparently Brennan can read. This is something of a surprise... I blame StarFall and his big sister. Aprilynne tells the whole story here. But today, she got him on video. And now, through the magic of YouTube, you can watch! Just click "Read More" to see the video. Aprilynne was right next to the microphone so she's quite audible but you may have to turn the speakers up a bit to hear Brennan.

While browsing a classmate's blog the other day, I came across this somewhat dated piece. It is longish (as web posts go!) but well worth a read, or a re-read if you encountered it two years ago when it first appeared. The topic of marriage and family is one on which I meditate frequently; if I do not discuss it more often, it is only because I too often do not know what to say.

Today, Mychael Darthard-Dawodu became the most recent newborn kidnapped from a hospital by someone posing as a nurse.